Edwards said a gold medal exceeded his expectations for the
competition, after placing ninth in Ontario last year at the same event.

“I set a goal of coming in the top three and I came in
first,” said Edwards. “It was overwhelming.”

He said a key to his victory was the instruction of his
teacher at ADHS, Robert St. Onge. He also credited his placement to a
longstanding love of carpentry, which began at age 7 when his parents first let
him hammer nails into boards. His long-term dream, first expressed at Grade 8
graduation, is to open his own business – Edwards Carpentry. He now moves on to
the Skills
Canada National Competition in Edmonton June 4-5.

McLeod was tasked with disassembling a blower motor out of a
furnace, stripping it of its wiring and fan, and then properly reassembling it –
all while wearing proper safety equipment. He also had to connect the wires on
a wiring board, and complete a 30-question written test and a mock job
interview.

He said the bronze boosted his confidence, and credited a
co-op placement in the trade for helping him finish third.

For more information, please contact:

Angela Grandy
Principal
North Dundas District High School(613) 448-2328